Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
09:44
Small-Scale Plasma Membrane Preparation for the Analysis of Candida albicans Cdr1-mGFPHis
Published on: June 13, 2021
Microfiltration of recombinant yeast cells using a rotating disk dynamic filtration system
1Bioprocess Engineering Group, Bioprocess Research and Development, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co, Inc, PO Box 2000, Rahway, New Jersey 07065, USA.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering
|November 20, 1995
Summary
A novel rotating disk dynamic filtration system significantly enhances cell harvesting efficiency for recombinant yeast. This dynamic filter achieves high flux rates, outperforming traditional methods and enabling rapid concentration and diafiltration.
Area of Science:
- Biochemical Engineering
- Separation Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Traditional cross-flow microfiltration for cell harvesting is limited by low flux rates and membrane fouling.
- Achieving efficient cell concentration under time constraints is crucial for bioprocessing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel rotating disk dynamic filtration system for efficient recombinant yeast cell harvesting.
- To investigate the performance of dynamic filtration in concentrating intracellular products.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory-scale study using a 0.147-ft.(2) nylon membrane and a rotating disk dynamic filtration system.
- Investigated parameters included disk rotating speed, transmembrane pressure, and membrane loading.
- Compared performance against existing cross-flow microfiltration methods.
Main Results:
- Dynamic filtration achieved average flux rates greater than 200 LMH, an order of magnitude improvement over cross-flow microfiltration.
- Disk rotating speed was the most critical parameter, influencing shear rates and flow patterns.
- High flux rates were sustained for sixfold concentration and diafiltration within 100 minutes.
Conclusions:
- The rotating disk dynamic filtration system offers a highly efficient solution for cell harvest, overcoming limitations of conventional methods.
- Performance is dependent on disk speed and cell concentration, with high densities potentially leading to fouling.
- Projected order-of-magnitude improvement for large-scale production, despite increased power input requirements.
